Telephone system



F. M. SLOUGH.-

TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

, APPLICATION FILED 05c 26. 1916.

1,351,799. I PatentedSept,7,1920.

i @Lt UNITED stars r FRANK M. SLoUeH, 0E ROoHESTER, NEW YORK, ,AssieNoR To THE STRoMRERo- CARI-SON TELEPHONE MANnEAcTnRi-Ne COMRANY, or RocHESTER, NE YORK,

A coRPoRATIoN on NEW YORK.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. a, Teen.

Original application filed May 15, 1915, Serial No. 28,251. I Divided and this application filed. December '26, 1916. Serial No. 138,710.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK M. SLoUei-i, acitizen of the United States, residing at Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Telephone Systems; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ofthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art towhich it appertains to make and use the same. I

My invention relates to telephone systems and has for its object the provision of means for registering the completed connections made by the operator, so as to keep an accu' rate account of the completed connections she has made. Iaim to produce a system which accomplishes these purposes without registering or accounting for the conversa tions between the operator and a subscriber,-

such as occur when a subscriber asks for the time, or a subscriber is called to be awakened in the morning, or for some similar purpose.

These and other objects of my invention will be understood from a description of a particular embodiment of the same.

This application is a division of my application Serial No. 28,251, filed May 15, 1915, Patent No. 1,262,112, April 9, 1918.

The drawing shows diagrammatically a particular embodiment of telephone sysinvolving my invention.

, T will first describe in a general way the apparatus shown in the drawing and its operation, and will'then give a particular descriptionthereof. V

At A is hown a telephone'line which will herein be referredto as the calling line. At

13 is shown a substation on the line, whichwill be referred to as the callingesubstation. At C is shown the main or central station of the system, which is equipped .with telephone line interconnecting mechanism for the purpose of placing telephone lines in interconnection one with the other, so that the subscribers thereonmay converse. The1intel-connecting means is shown as link conductors and in the particular embodiment illustrated as a cord circuit designated by the reference D. Although Ijhave shown a cord circuit the embod ment llustrated 1n.

employed into the jack thereof.

shown a SGCOIld' telephone line which may hereinafter be spoken. of as the called line. number of stations are connectedto the l1ne E, one of which is shown at F, and

V which may hereinafter be referred to as the called substation; It will be understood'that any suitable numberof stations may :be con nectedto either of the telephone lines.

Means are provided for connecting the link connectors or telephone line interconnecting mechanism with the telephone lines, here illustrated-as switching means H and G, which may consist of lugs and. jacks.

The switching means H, hereinafter referred to as the answering switching means,

may consi'st of a plug and a jack J and the switching means G, which may hereinafter be referred to as the calling switching means, may consist of a plug P, and a jack J The operators set is shown at K, a ring ing key at L. the master key, at M and a The calls is shown at O and O I I When the calling subscriber desires a connection, the central station 'is' signaled through the, operation of the usual line relay and line lamp placed before the-operators, one of whom responds in the usual way by operating the'switching'means H or 1-1,, by inserting the plug oftheswitching means If the switching means H is employed, the plug P isinserted into the jack J, The relay "R ,will be operated over a circuit including the relay Rthe resistance Z and the cut-off relay R if, however, prior to the closing of the switching device 11 the Switching devvice H, shall have been operated by another operator, who thus captures theLcall, the

ringing machine at N. Portions of a second 'cord circuit are indicated at 1),, provided with switching means H, and G mechanism for registering the completed relay R will not operate becauSe moStof-the current which would otherwise flow through" 1 Y 7 the relay R will be traversing a circuit in cluding the relay R andthe Shunt 1 of the device -'Z,. other cord is connected to the line at A at the Assuming, however, that no time the d i e 1. is ream e e y B will be energized, making capture of the call WVl1en the strand 2 is completed, the re lay R, will be operated over a circuit including the line A, in a manner well understood, completing the circuit of the automatic listening relay R which will be energized, completing a circuit of the magnet X and causing the operation of the register 0 by stepping up the wheel 0 through the pawl call. The ringlng p) The details of this register are not illustrated, as register details are well understood and it will be apparent that I may employ any suitable register.

R also connects the operators set K to the cord, so that the operator can now communicztte with the subscriber at B. Learning that it is the'subscriber at F that is desired, the line E may be tested in the usual manner, or the operator may plug in without the usual delay due to testing. A circuit will be completed through the magnets R and R,. It the called line is 'bus a-soecial si nal will be 'ivento the operator to indicate this fact to her. The operation of the mechanism to give this signal is described in the parent application and is not repeated here.

- If the called line is idle and the switching device G operated, the relay R will be operated, breaking the circuit of the relay R and disconnecting the operator from the cord. The operator then operates the ringing key L, at the same time closing the master key M and completing a circuit through the ringing relay R which immediately locks itself independently of the key. The closing of the key M also completes a circuit through the relay Y, which,in the em: bodiment shown, is in series in the circuit of the relay R The relay Y will'be operated, stepping up the wheel 0 ot the portion of the register through the operation of the pawl 79, and completing the register of the takes place and when the called subscriber responds, the circuit of the ringing relay is interrupted and the magnet of Y deenergized.

7 Itwill' be seen that the register or counts ingdevice 'will not be completely operated unless both lines are connected together and the ringing of the subscriber takes place. FA-detailed'description of the operation is as follows: WVhen the subscriber at B takes the receiver 4 01f the hook 5, the

latter being spring pressed upward, will close a switch 1n the hue A. This wlll complete a circuit through the relay 7, as follows: ground 8, battery 9-relay 7switch 10conductor 1lswitch 6-eonductor 12switch 13to ground at 141-, causing theactuation of the relay 7, which closes aswitch 15 in the circuit of'the line lamps 16,16 and 16,, which will be lighted in multiple over the tollow ing circuits :8915-17to ground at 18. The lamps will be at various positions at the'main station, and one of the operators will answer the call. In this case,we;will assume that the operator who has'charge oi the cord D inserts the plug P into the jack J, thereby connecting the cord to the line. The contacts 19, 20 and 21 of the cord will register respectively with thecontacts 22,

23 and 241- 01 the ack. The following circuit will immediately be completed: ground 14- cut-off relay R conductor 25contact 24- contact 21switch device 26--conductor 2T-resistance Zrelay R-battery 28-to ground'29. The relayR will be energized,

ing' a shunt 341- about the resistance device Z,

and making thecircuit of the relay It independent of said device. 7 Y

disconnecting the line lamp and line relay Now, if a second operator were to plug into a'jack 01" the line A, for example, sup pose theoperator controlling the cord D were to operate the switching device H then the current which flowed through the relay r would not be sufficient to operate the said relay because otthe presence of the lower resistance circuit of the relay R including the shunt 34-. The relay R also closes a switch 33 in the strand 2, completing that strand' As soon as the switch 38 is closed, a circuit is closed for the relay R, as follows:

ground 35-upper windingof R conductor 362-331922+l2+ t31l23 20-373-38lower winding of relay R +battery W-to ground 39. .The'relay switchesl and 42. A circuit is now completed for the relay R astollows: ground 44.switch 31-conductor 45lt -conductor 46switch i2-conductor 47-switch 1S-conduetor 4-9conductor- 5 )--VV39. The relay R closes a switch 51, completing a circuit through the device X as follows: ground 52 X'-conductor 53switch 51 4t64-24t7-1-84950l/V39 -.The device operates the'device O. The relay It, also closes the switches'filand 55, connecting the operators set K to the strand of-the cord circuit and enabling the operator to learn- R opens the. switch 10 and closes the fromthe subscriber, the subscriber desired. Assuming that the subsciber'desired is the subscriber at F, the operator operates the de- Vice G by inserting the plug P into the jack J .Assuming that the line E is busy; that to the line E by the presence of the plug P in the ack J, a circuit will then be com- 1 I r v pleteu as follows: o8.09-6O-R 'gr0und 61. Now, if the switching device-G is operated, the current flow through the relaylt will not be suilicient to cause the actuation of the same, owing to the shunt thereof through the relay 1" The characteristics of the relay 1%,, however, are such thatit will be operated by the slight How of current passing through the branch containing the relay it even when the branch containing the relay R diverts most of the currentv therefrom. Relay R, being energized, closes a switch (52 shunting the relaylt which lets go its armature, closing a switch 63. The operator will then get a special busy tone from the device Q through the conductor 64,

and her receiver 65, whichwill indicate to her that the line is busy, when she will withdraw her plug P Assuming, however, that the line E is idle, the operation of the device G will complete a circuit for the relay R as follows ground 585969--conductor ll conductor Z1switch 7 2 'relay R e19-50W39 R, will be energized, conipleting an alternate circuit for itself and excluding therefrom the relay 3,. This alternate circuit will be as follows:,58-59-'69 70-72--"R,,, and as before. .Relay R opens the switch 18 in t iecircuit of the relays X and 13,, completing the operation of the register device 0, and causingthe disconnection ot the operators set from the cord. A switch 73 is also closed for a purpose 'to be described.

The subscriber at F is now rung by operating one of the ringing keys,say the keys l1 and hi. W hen the key M isoperated, the follmving circuit is completed 75M-78 1 79 Y-switch .SO-conductor 81l1- 73--l9-50- -VV and 39. This is the circuit that is completed when the plug P is in the jack J and the calling subscriber is on the.

line. it, however, the plug P is in the'jack J and the calling subscriber is not on the line, this circuit will not be completed, because the circuit of the relay li would have been interrupted at the substation B, and the said relay decnergized, causing an interruption oi the circuit of the relay R, at d1, w ;ch has been described. This is especial use, because frequently the subscriber at F does not respond, and after waiting a rea-- sonable length of time, the subscriber at B suspects that F will not respond, andretires.

Under these circumstances the automatic I An alternate. path is provided for this c1rcu1t to enable ing will be interrupted.

rin

the 'oierator to ring the subscriber F independently or any COHHGCtlOIlpO acalling line, torexample,when 1t is desired to call F in the morning, or call him to communicate with him for. some other reason. ing, therefore, that the plug P has not been inserted into the jack J, the circuit of the relay R, will be as follows: 75-'M78- 't,79,---Y80 85-s-witch 39'conductor 86-switch 73 19-'5OW39. When relay B, has been energized, a switch 90 is operated, completing a locking circuit for the switches 92 and 93 in the ringing circuit, which T111106 as follows: ground 98. -source of ringing current N-ofl' and on through the commutator 941Lc0nductor 95.re-

the switch 93resistance device 96booster 9750 W to ground 39. A portion of this circuit will pass through a multiple of the device 96, 97 and T as follows: conductor -3the switching device-Hthe calling l1ne the subscribers set B+to ground at 35 through conductor 36-and the upper coil of the relay The flow of current through this multiple will indicate to the calling subscriber that the ringing is going on and appease his impatlence durlng the time necessary to s'ecuretheattention ofthe sub scriber F. As soonas subscriber F .re spends, the flow of current through the relay'li, will be such-that this relay willbe operated, closing a switch 100 and completing a shunt of the relay R thereby diverting the current from the relay R which Assum- .85 lay R,switch 92-through the switchingdevice G-over the line E-back through will'be deener 'ized releasin its armatures' and restoringthe switches controlled therebyto the condition illustratedin the draw- Nhen the relay Y was operated, 1t closed a switch 101- in the circuit of the register device 0 The response of the calling subscriber' and the closing of the switch 91 will complete a circuit through the relay R as follows ground 192winding 108'-conductor 291 "through-the switching device G and over the lineE and the substation circuit at l through the switch 93,-conduc-' tor 10 1 winding battery vV-groimd 39. The relay R opens the switch 80 in the circuit-of the relay Y and causes the completionot' the actuation of the register.

W ith the apparatus in this condition, the

conversation takes place, and at the terminationot the conversatiom oras soon as the subscriber B hangs up, the circui-t ot the relaylt, will be broken, thereby completing a circuit for the relay R as follows: 3 1R 110 1073 4:9 5O 1V 5 39. The relaylt i interrupts the strand 3 at 37,

completes a locking circuit for itself by closing a switch 111, and interrupts the cirflar form or to the details shown, since it said link circuit.

will'be apparent to those skilled in the art that many departures may be made from such form and details, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

'I claimi-ei t 1'. In a' telephone system, the combination with a connection register, a calling telephone line, a called telephone line, a link 0 cult for interconnecting the lines, a

calling subscribers supervisory relay and a called subscribers supervisory relay, an

operators listeningrelay under the joint control of the said calling and'called subscribers supervisory relays, means to cause the said calling subscribers supervlsory reand the said operators listening relay to automaticallyoperate when connection is .madewith a calling subscribers line, under the control of the calling subscribers sub station apparatus, a register circuit for the said register. comprising normally open contacts of the said listening relayand of the said calling subscribers supervisory relay and normally closed contacts of said called subscribers supervisory relay, and means to cause the a'ctuationof the called subscribers supervisory relay when connection is made with a line of the called subscriber, by the 2. In a telephone system, the combination i with a connection register, a calling telephone line, a called telephone line, a link circuit for interconnecting the lines, a calling subscribers supervisory relay and a called subscribers supervisory relay, an operators listening relay under. the

joint control of the said calling and called subscribers supervisory relays, means to cause the sald calling subscr1ber s supervisory relay and the said operators listening relay to automatically operate when connection is made with a calling subscribers line,

"under the control of the calling subscribers substation apparatus, a register circuit for the said register comprising normally open contacts of thesaid listening relay and of the said calling subscriberssupervisory relay andnormally closedcontacts of said called subscribers supervisory relay, means to cause'the actuation-of the called subscriberssupervisory relay when connection ismadewith a line of the calling subscriber,

by the said linkcircuit, and talking strands .scribers line to which the link circuit has been connected, means under the control of the callmg substation apparatus to maintain the application of the said ringing current to the called subscribers line, means under the control'o'i the sald ringing key to include a source of current in circuit with the said register, means to maintain the operative condition of the said register, said means being under the control of the said ringing current maintainingsource, and disabling means under the control of the called sub station to disable the said ringing current maintaining means. I u

l. In a'telephone system, the combination with a connection register, a calling telephone line, a called telephone line, a link circuit for interconnecting the lines, a calling subscribers supervisory relay and a called subscribers supervisory relay, an operators listening relay under the joint control of the said'calling and called subscribers supervisory relays, means to cause the said calling subscrih'ers supervisory relay and the said operators listening relay to automatically operate when connection is made with a calling subscribers line, under the control of the calling subscribers substation apparatus, a

register circuit for the said register comprising normally open contacts'of the saidlistening relay and of the sa d calllng subscrlbers supervlsory relay and normally closed cont acts of said "called subscribers supervisory relay, and means-to cause'the actuationof the called subscribers" supervisory relay when connection .is made with aline of the calling subscriber, by the said link circuit, a second link circuit organized like the first link circuit, a plurality ofconnection terminals for each calling line, whereby a plurality oflink circuits may be simultaneously connected to the said telephone line, and disabling meansfor the said 'callin subscribers su )erviso' rela and operators listening relay of a connected link circuit associated with a'first connected one ofthe link circuits and the said calling telephone line. v

' 5. In a telephone system, the combination with a plurality of telephone lines,.a link circuit for interconnecting a calling one with .21 called one of the said lines, a connection register for thesaid link circuit, arringing key adapted when operated to continuously apply a source of intermittent ringing curregister when the said ringing current has.

been applied to the called line terminals, means to prevent the actuation of the said register and the said ringing means by the operation of the said key, when connection is made with a terminal of a busy desired line, a source of busy tone current, and means to apply the said source to a talking strand of the said link circuit upon the operation of the said ringing and registering preventing means.

6. In a telephone system, the combination with a plurality of telephone lines, a link circuit for interconnecting a calling one with a called one of the said lines, a connection register for the said link circuit, a ringing key adapted when operated to continuously apply a source of intermittent ringing current to the terminals of the called line to which the link circuit has been connccted, means to cause the actuation of the said register when the said ringing current has been applied to the called line terminals, means to prevent the actuation of the said register and the said ringing means by the operation of the said key, when connection is made with a terminal of a busy desired line, an operators circuit adapted to be connected with talking strands of the' said link circuit, a source of tone current adapted to be comiected with each of the said talking strands, means to prevent the application of the said ringing tone current,-

the last-named preventing means being normally operative, and means to disable the said last-named preventing means under the control of the said first-named preventing means. 1

7. In a telephone system, the combination with a plurality of telephone lines, a plurality of link circuits adapted to interconnect calling with called ones of said lines, a source of ringing current, means in each link circuit to apply the said source tothe ter' minals of a called line with which the link circuit is connected, a second set of terminals for the called line to which a second a link circuit may be connected, a relay in each link circuit adapted to be operated when connection is made with 21 called line, and circuit connections controlled by each of the said relays adapted when the said relay is operated to preventthe actuation of the like relay in a second link circuit which subsequently is connected to the same called telephone line, said ringing current applying means being only operative when the said relay associated with the same link circuit as the said ringing current applying means is operated, and a connection register associated with the said link circuits and adapt ed to be operated when the said ringing current applying means is operated.

8. In a telephone system, the combination with a plurality of telephone lines, a link circuit for interconnecting a calling one with a called one 01" the saidlines, a connection register for the said. link circuit, a ringing key adapted when operated to continuously apply a source of intermittent ringing current to the terminals of the called line to which the link circuit has been connected,

applied to the i called line terminals, and,

means to prevent the actuation of the said register and the said ringing means by the operation of the said key, when connection is made witha terminal of a busy desired line. 7

In witness whereof, I have'hereunto set my hand this 16th day of December, 1916.

FRANK MLSLOUGI-I. 

